Annapolis Valley Regional Library

Library Take-Out

Library Take-Out begins the week of June 8! This service and procedures may change as we receive updates from health authorities. 1. What is Library Take-Out Service? Library Take-Out Service is a way of offering access to our books, audiobooks, DVDs, and magazines while our branches are closed to the public. Pick-up will be by appointment only. The items can be materials from holds you have placed, items that you and staff have chosen together via a phone conversation, or a combination of both. 2. How is the library safely handling the Take-Out materials? Library staff will be quarantining all materials for a 72-hour period. This means all items returned to us will be set aside before being handled. Materials will be checked out to your account, and packed into paper Take-Out bags. This procedure may be updated as new information is received by health authorities. 3. What is a Library Take-Out Order? A Library Take-Out “Order” is for a maximum of 10 items. We can choose items for your order by phone. The items will be charged to your library card and will be available to pick up by appointment. Available holds at time of order will NOT count against your 10 items. You may choose to place holds on your own items. Library staff will phone you to arrange a pick-up time for your holds. 4. How do I place a Library Take-Out Order? Call your local library branch during any of the Take-Out service hours to place a Library Take-Out order for up to 10 items. A preferred pickup time will be discussed. 5. Why do we have a limit of 10 items for a Take-Out Order? Our materials must be handled safely for both you and our staff. Due to these new procedures, we are limiting the number of items that must be handled. 6. What about more than one card in a household/family? If there are multiple people in a household, each with library cards, a Library Take-Out Order can be made for 10 items per library card. Checkouts will be bagged per library card number. We ask that you pick up your household’s Take-Out Order on the same day, with only one member of the household picking up the items. 7. What about the holds I place? There is no limit on any holds placed directly in the library catalogue. You will be notified by phone when the items arrive at your branch, and can be picked up through Library Take-Out by appointment. 8. How are Take-Out Bags picked up? Can someone else pick them up for me? Pickups will be taken outside to pickup area when staff make visual/written/verbal contact with the pick-up person. You or your designate will be required to show something with the name of the person who placed the order. Showing a library card is not required. 9. Why is there a 72 hour quarantine period for the books? For now, we want to assure you and our staff that we are doing everything we can with regards to making our materials safe to loan. This means that items you return will still show up on your card for at least 72 hours. There will be no fines. 10. Will there be physical interaction between staff and patrons? This will be a contactless service. There will be no physical interaction between staff and those picking up the items. Items will be packed in one-time use paper bags and left outside in the pick-up area at the designated time for pick up by the patron. Only one patron will be accessing this area at any one time. 11. Can I return my books now? The outside book returns are now open. This is the only way books will be received at branches.You will not need an appointment to return books, however, we do ask that you respect the 6 foot physical distance at all times. Books will NOT be immediately checked in, but will be boxed and placed in quarantine for 72 hours. This means you may still see items charged to your account for several days after you have returned them. However, there will be NO FINES on these items. 12. What is the Loan Period? All items will be due in 3 weeks. Your loan period will be set to begin on the day of your pick-up appointment. 13. What are the hours for Library Take-Out Service? The Take-Out Service will be available the hours listed on our website. Please check your local library hours here. However, due to social distancing, staff safety measures, and workload, your phone call may not be answered right away. Please try again later. All pick-up times will be set during Take-Out Service hours. 14. What if I owe fines or have outstanding fees? We will not be collecting fines or fees, or accepting replacements, during this period. 15. What about Borrow by Mail? If you are a current Borrow by Mail user, library staff will contact you about service. 16. How is the library ensuring the staff and materials are safe? AVRL is committed to providing a safe work environment for all staff and providing safe handling procedures for our materials. Physical distancing, cleaning, and quarantining materials are a priority. 17. When will the library be open to the public? AVRL is planning a phased return to service. Following NS Health guidelines, we will not be opening our buildings until we can ensure that we have the proper procedures in place. Have other questions? Head to our general FAQ page.

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Reopening Mid-July

June 24, 2020 At this time, all of our branches are closed to the public. Beginning mid-July, AVRL will begin to reopen libraries to the public. We're really looking forward to welcoming you back to our Library branches! In order to provide the best service and safest environment for both our patrons and our staff, we've had to make some changes to our Library locations and procedures. Each of our branches is different, but we all have new procedures in place to keep us and our patrons safe. When you arrive at our branch locations please maintain proper social distancing where possible. Hand sanitizer will be available, and we ask all patrons to sanitize their hands before entering our branches. All library locations are limiting the number of patrons permitted inside. When browsing materials & using our services, please be considerate of other patrons waiting to enter by keeping your visit to 30 minutes. Please be aware: seating within branches may have been reduced. Use of our public computers will be limited to 30 minutes. This will help ensure that as many people have access to this technology as possible, while also allowing staff time to properly sanitize computer stations between uses. Some of our computer workstations will not be in use in order to allow more space Keyboards and mice will be disinfected between each use, as well as washed thoroughly at the end of each day. If you have any questions or require assistance during your visit, just ask! We are here to help. Library Take-Out and all online services will still be available once we reopen. Please continue to return all items to Book Drops. There are no overdue charges. We are now fine-free on all items. Please visit our FAQ for more information on library services.

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Summer Reading 2020

Sign up online or by giving us a call, and start reading! Toll-free at 866-922-0229 or 902-538-2665 ext. 1402 (Mon-Fri, ( 9 AM - 3:30 PM) Read anything you want-- books, audiobooks, eBooks, magazines, comic books, cereal boxes. This year the club will look a little different, but we will have activities and challenges for kids, teens, and adults. Log your reading and complete activities to earn badges and enter to win prizes. If you like, you can print and use this log sheet to keep track of your reading and activities this Summer. Download and decorate Ravel, our SRC mascot. Share pictures of your adventures and enter to win! Want more summer reading fun? Head to the TD SRC page.

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Borrow Online

While our libraries are closed, you can still borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines online! We've added additional copies to help manage holds, and some new items as well. THIS LINK will take you to our Download page for ONLINE BORROWING. If you are having trouble with Overdrive, you may contact us at Overdrive@valleylibrary.ca When you finish a downloaded item, you can return it early to make it available for another user. Borrow online from HOOPLA. Read, listen, or watch from home. NEW! Read to your heart's content... Romance novels online from TumbleBooks. And more audiobooks, too, from TumbleBooks. Need a library card? When you fill out our on-line form, we will send your new card information to you by email or phone (if an email is not provided). If you have forgotten your PIN, or your card has recently expired, contact us here.

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COVID-19 Information

UPDATE: June 8, 2020, all branches of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library are closed to the public until futher notice. Our online services are still available. Our book drops are now open. Library Take-Out is available. No fines will be incurred during this period. Below, you will find links to updates from government and public health websites. Nova Scotia Government updates Updates and advice from Nova Scotia health professionals 811 Information - Online assessment, when to call, symptoms, and other information 211 - searchable services and programs offered by local community organizations NS Health Authority - Free online mental health resources Canadian Mental Health- Wellness hub includes information on COVID-19 Public Health Agency of Canada - downloadable posters for quick information Government of Canada: Coronavirus updates Outbreak updates, symptoms, travel advisories, and more. World Health Organization updates and alerts Explain it to kids - A Short NPR (US) article and comic on explaining the virus to children. Disaster Information: Current medical articles on the virus

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Creativebug

New to AVRL! Use your AVRL library card to access Creativebug and enjoy unlimited access to thousands of online art and craft classes. You have an all-access, no-boundaries pass to explore thousands of classes. People of all skill levels can work alongside instructors to learn craft techniques.

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July 8th (Wed)

6:45pm Storytime with Anna at the AVRL Facebook Page

July 15th (Wed)

1:30pm Dr. G - Science Music Facebook Live at the AVRL Facebook Page

6:45pm Storytime with Anna at the AVRL Facebook Page

July 22nd (Wed)

6:45pm Storytime with Anna at the AVRL Facebook Page

July 29th (Wed)

6:45pm Storytime with Anna at the AVRL Facebook Page

August 5th (Wed)

11:15am Storytime with Anna at the AVRL Facebook Page

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Serving West Hants, Kings and Annapolis Counties with free public library service since 1949.

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